Background:
Guidelines of neonatal resuscitation are revised regularly. Gaps in knowledge transfer commonly occur when the guidelines are communicated to the clinical practitioners. Maintaining body temperature and supporting oxygenation are main goals that clinical practitioners aim to achieve in assisting newborns during the feto-neonatal transition at birth.
Objectives:
In this study, we aim to examine the compliance to guidelines in neonatal resuscitation regarding the temperature maintenance and oxygen use in newborns at birth.
Methods:
From October to November 2013, a prospective questionnaire surveillance was conducted in all attended deliveries at all four hospitals in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. All clinical practitioners (registered nurses, physicians and respiratory therapists) were requested to complete the questionnaires immediately after the attended delivery regarding temperature maintenance and oxygenation monitoring. Descriptive statistics were used with mean±SD (range) and % presented.
Results:
During the 14-days study period, data was obtained in 518 of 712 (73%) attended deliveries of newborns with gestational age 38.6±2.0 (23-42) weeks and birth weight 3324±589 (348-6168) g. Of these deliveries, 58% were normal vaginal deliveries and 29% were cesarean sections. There were 8.8% and 8.4% newborns who required positive pressure ventilation and continuous positive pressure, respectively. Radiant warmer heat was used in 81% (419/518) with 63% (266/419) turned to full power. Room temperature was 21.6±1.6 (17-31)°C. Body temperature at 30-60 min after birth was 36.8±0.5 (32.4-38.1)°C with hypothermia (<36.5°C) in 17%. Percutaneous oxygen saturation was measured in 15% newborns and 96% had sensors placed at the right wrist. At the initiation of resuscitation, 21% oxygen was used in 76% and the oxygen concentration was adjusted according to an oxygen saturation chart in 17%. In 70% of the cases, clinical practitioners commented that this chart was not helpful.
Conclusions:
Gaps in knowledge transfer contribute to non-compliance in the guidelines of neonatal resuscitation for temperature maintenance and oxygen use. Caution is needed to avoid hypothermia and hyperoxia in at-risk populations such as prematurity.
Redistribution of Alveolar Pressure During Continuous Positive Pressure Ventilation with End Inspiratorg Pause
